New York Mets catcher, Travis d’Arnaud is still looked at in the highest regard by his manager, Terry Collins.
In a conversation with Adam Rubin of ESPN, Collins advised that d’Arnaud will be a top priority heading into spring training for the 2017 season.
“He is going to be one of our No. 1 projects in spring training. We’ve got to get this guy back, and we’ve got to get his bat going,” Collins said. “If he is what we thought he’s going to be, he’s a middle-of-the-lineup guy who can do damage from the right side. And you know how bad we need that.”
Travis had a rough 2016, struggling not just with injury but with his bat as well. It seemed a lost season for d’Arnaud who hit to a .247/.307/.323 batting line to go along with just four homers and 15 RBI while only appearing in 75 games.
D’Arnaud would go on to lose his starting job down the stretch as the Mets would use Rene Rivera in his place. Rivera would provide a stronger defensive presence for the team, helping to cut down stolen bases which plagued the Mets in 2016.
With injuries continuing to be a problem for d’Arnaud and now also showing struggles with his play, the Mets began to look elsewhere for a backstop. Just this past trading deadline, Jonathan Lucroy had come up in trade talks as a catcher the team was considering. Many now wonder if the Mets may look to acquire a catcher to replace d’Arnaud this offseason.
“First of all, the expiration side, that’s [general manager] Sandy [Alderson]’s department,” Collins said. “I only worry about the guys we’ve got. And right now we’ve got to get Travis d’Arnaud better. We’ve got to get him better. No. 1, we’ve got to keep him somewhat healthy.”
“You can’t keep losing your mainline guys for two months. He had 250 at-bats when he should have 500. You’re talking about a guy who missed half the season. We’ve got to get him better.”
Next season could be a make or break year for d’Arnaud’s career with the Mets. Collins will look to d’Arnaud to handle the starting job again, heading into spring training. It will all be a matter if Travis can stay healthy and if he is, he must produce.
